Monday, October 17, 2005

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!
I love you!
Kirsten

God our Refuge

A friend unexpectedly dropped in last Friday evening. Her road had washed out, so she couldn't get home. That same evening, our neighbor's basement flooded, so Dad went over to help pump it out. One of my sisters said, "Our house is like a refuge." That started me thinking about how God is our refuge.
Psalm 46:1-3 says:
"God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear,
Even though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though its waters roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah"

"God is our refuge." What a beautiful promise! Brethren, who are struggling, does this not lift your heart up?
The great preacher Charles Spurgeon wrote: "The word refuge may be translated 'mansion', or 'abode' which gives the thought that God is our abode, our home." A Christian may find rest in God as he can in a warm and loving home. We can find peace in Him as one can when watching a storm from the comfort of a house.
Perhaps, brethren, you have been troubled by the terrific things happening in our days - hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, sicknesses, disasters killing hundreds or thousands of people. These verses, however, tell us not to be afraid. God is in control. He is sovereign and in Him we find our home. This does not mean that He will save us from all sufferings and tragedy, rather He will give us strength in the midst of those things. When everything is falling apart around us, we shall have the courage and joy to face it and to help others that nonbelievers will not have.
Flee to Jesus now. Do not wait for trials to force you to Him. Blessed be the LORD!
"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.' "
Psalm 91:1,2